The Being Freelance Gift Guide
My guide to gifts for the freelancer in your life.
(Even if that’s you.)
GIFTS BY FREELANCERS
The great thing is, loads of the following gift ideas for freelancers are actually made by freelancers.
When you shop with freelancers, you effectively give a gift twice! Because they’ll get a festive flurry of £, $ or € in their direction.
Keep an eye out for the Being Freelance ‘Made By A Freelancer’ gift tag and take a look!
The Being Freelance Gift Guide
Books
Tech
Stationery
Prints & Art
People & Connection
Home & Food
Clothes & Accessories
BOOKS
TOP BOOK IDEAS FOR FREELANCERS
Perma-favourites with the Being Freelance Community.
Many of the authors have been on the podcast too.
Anti-Sell (Steve Morgan)
Selling without the selling. I’m sold.
Keep At It (Ashwin Chacko)
Daily quotes & thoughts lovingly illustrated.
Hype Yourself (Lucy Werner)
Great advice for getting your business out there.
Keep Going (Austin Kleon)
Stay creative in good times & bad.
Win Without Pitching Manifesto (Blair Enns)
Solid advice - getting work & being paid well for it.
Company Of One (Paul Jarvis)
Bigger isn’t better. Unless it’s a Toblerone.
Survival Skills For Freelancers (Sarah Townsend)
Exactly what it says. Perfect for new freelancers.
SIX FIGURES IN SCHOOL HOURS, by Kate Toon
Kate’s Confessions Of A Misfit Entrepreneur book has been on the gift list for years and here’s her latest about running a successful business around your family.
She’s graced the podcast, a community Live Q&A and this year a BFF social in London when she was over from Oz. Kate is always wise, honest and funny.
If this sounds like it’ll help. I reckon it will.
MAKE A LIVING DESIGNING LOGOS, BY IAN PAGET
Okay, so you can tell from the title that this isn’t for every freelancer. But if logos/design/branding is your thing this labour of love from Ian is a must.
Ian AKA Logo Geek first appeared on the Being Freelance podcast in 2015 and again at a live podcast in 2019.
Logo & book geeks? This’ll be great.
Succeeding As A Young Entrepreneur by Harvey Morton
I’ve not had a chance to read this yet as it’s only just hit the bookstores, but I’m thrilled for BFF Harvey (that’s him).
This book shares his story of being bullied at school, told he wouldn’t succeed (by his teachers!), to winning his first business award aged 14 and beyond… (presumably he relives meeting a podcaster - with more than a passing resemblance to Hugh Jackman if he’d eaten too much cake and grown up in the UK - at a live event in 2019, looking forward to that chapter).
Founders, Freelancers & Rebels by Helen Jane Campbell
BFF & life/business coach Helen interviewed creatives in the UK & US for her book that’ll help you either getting started freelance, or to build up steam when the motivation is off the boil.
Hmm, tea anyone?
SUBSCRIPTION TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE
More accurately this is ‘MADE BY FREELANCERS’. A great team effort creating four excellent magazines dedicated to freelancing each year.
A subscription is the gift that keeps on giving.
Not a book. But plenty to read all year long.
TECH
PORTABLE Laptop Stand
Stop looking down at your laptop. You'll get a bad neck and that limits your ability to drink tea.
Logitech Brio 4k Webcam
Look crisp for Being Freelance Community virtual coworking.
This one adjusts to low light, so you’ll always look your best.
RøDE MINI USB MIC
USB mics are an easy way to sound great on video calls and podcasts. This mini one is robust to travel with too.
LAPTOP SUN SHADE
No sun on your screen is good for your eyes. Which means you can easily see your neighbours looking at your smug face.
Logitech Vertical Mouse
Gotta look after your wrists when you're your own Health & Safety Department.
LOGITECH LITRA BEAM LIGHT
I wanted a desk light. I also wanted a light for video calls.
This is perfect for both. It’s so adjustable. Controllable from the light itself or your computer.
Warm light. Cool light. A bright idea for a gift.
POWER BANK FOR A LAPTOP
Lots of people have power banks for their phones, but do a freelancer a favour and find one like this one that will charge a laptop too.
No more socket-searching in coffee shops or trains!
Mechanical Keyboard
I see lots of freelancers using mechanical keyboards these days. Partly drawn by how they feel to type on, but also, just how customisable some can be. Different colours (to match your brand) and programmable keys.
This Logitech ‘pop’ model (available in other colours too) has changeable Emoji keys so the 🍪, 🙌 and 🙈 are never far away.
Branded Cube Lamp
Spotted my Being Freelance 3D Cube lamp on my Instagram or videos?
I love it. You can get anything printed on the six sides.
So if you’ve got a great logo and brand colours, why not let them shine?
BUY IT FROM UNIQ CUBE
A kindle
I know some people love physical books. But I love the fact I can easily take this anywhere.
You can’t smudge an e-reader when you drop cake on it.
TOMATO TIMER
Not all tech has to be expensive to make a difference.
The Pomodoro Technique is a juicy way to squeeze the most out of your time as a freelancer.
So a timer of any sort (that gets you away from your phone!) is genuinely a great gift.
Since the inventor used one of these kitchen timers (‘pomodoro’ being Italian for ‘smug productive so-and-so’), why not go for the original?
USB CUP WARMER
There's loads of really classy cup warmers to choose from. But of course I had to pick the one shaped like a cookie.
What you’re really giving is the gift of a cup of tea that doesn’t go cold!
CLEAR HEADPHONES FOR VIDEO CALLS
Okay, so I wanted headphones that were ‘invisible’ when I did live video like giving webinars.
Bluetooth ones can be unreliable, so I settled on these Shure SE215 that musicians use.
Bonus is that they also block out external noise (so you can’t hear people saying ‘who do you think you are? Bono?!)
COURSE FOR NEW FREELANCERS
I put it in the tech section because you’ll need a computer, phone or iPad to do the Being Freelance course.
But what better gift than helping someone get a head start on everything they need to know when starting freelance life.
If you’d like to buy a gift voucher for someone - get in touch.
STATIONERY
PRODUCTIVITY CARDS BY Nick Parker
Writer and BF Podcast guest Nick offers his take on the productivity hack world.
Each card has a simple message. Exactly the same message.
If you get stuck, pick a card and it’ll tell you what to do.
2024 Calendar by Jessi illustrates
I loved watching BFF Jessica Hartshorn create the month images for this on her always colourful Instagram.
If you want a cheerful illustration to keep you company each month in 2024, get this on your wall.
WHOLE-ARSED IDEAS A5 NOTEBOOK
This is actually a piece of merch for a stage show - Operation Mincemeat. But it just seems so apt for the constant stream of ideas freelancers have.
For the full West End Musical experience, buy them some little tubs of ice cream as well.
A1 YEAR WALL PLANNER
A fresh year ahead and a fresh look to this annual treat from designer Anna Rigby.
For 2024 Anna has a range of styles/colours - even one you can colour in yourself instead of doing the actual work.
Get on with your year, get this on your wall.
FUNNY NOTEBOOKS
There are some great ones in here. Some are perfect for meetings: “List of people who have wasted my time” and “Meetings that could have been emails”.
A big choice of colours and types of paper to choose from too.
TO-DO LIST NOTE PADS
Risotto have a huge range of fun designed, coloured stationery including varieties of these note pads.
Much a-do for these daily To-dos, don’t mind if I do. Tick.
NOSTALGIC BICSCUIT VINYL STICKERS
Love these tasty stickers from illustrator Rebecca McConnachie.
Get them on your laptop. Keep the real things close by.
COLOURING BOOK BY LEVI JACOBS
I loved chatting to Dutch illustrator Levi Jacobs on the podcast.
Now you can take his work and make it your own with this colouring book. A nice bit of time away from your screen during the day (before blatantly Instagramming it and spending the rest of the day replying to comments).
A3 Weekly Desk Planner
This tear-off desk pad is another great product from graphic designer Anna Rigby.
I have one of these on my very own desk. It’s too nice to write on, so I have a achieved nothing instead.
The Anti-Planner, by Dani Donovan
Dani is an online creator helping those with ADHD. Their neuro-diverse squad comics and videos have spawned merch before, but now this…
‘The Anti-Planner: How to Get Sh*t Done When You Don’t Feel Like It’ is an activity book specifically designed to help procrastinators.
Check out the website as it has loads of shots of what’s inside and it looks amazing. If you’re hoping to get this for xmas ‘23, do check the shipping details as it’s very new and proving very popular.
Calendar for Introverts 2024 by Adam Fisher
An A3 calendar with 12 beautiful, ‘introverted and introspective’ illustrations from Adam Fisher.
You’ll also find unusual annual occasions such as ‘National Campfire Day’ designed to make you “step back and enjoy life's ambient moments”.
We all need some of those.
And marshmallows. Campfire Day? Yes please.
PRINTS & ART
THE TRUE DEFINITION OF EMAILS
These are brilliant. Click through for a proper read, but here’s the first one:
’per my last email’ - definition: ‘learn to F’cking read bitch’.
It’s ok to have a wobble giclee print
You’re gonna have wobbles when you’re freelancing.
We all do. And it’s okay.
This print from illustrator Kay Vincent meanwhile is MORE than okay.
Cover Versions by Ben The Illustrator
Previous Being Freelance guest Ben The Illustrator has grown his collection of hit cover versions this year.
If you love to listen to music while you work - how about being surrounded by the artwork too?
WATER YOUR VISIONS BY VICTORIA O’MAY
Brazilian graphic designer Victoria was on the podcast in Feb ‘23.
She has a number of eye-catching prints that I absolutely love.
This one feels particularly apt for freelancers. Water that vision. See what grows.
BFF ‘KEEP AT IT’ PRINT BY Ashwin Chacko
‘Keep At It’ is the work of previous Being Freelance podcast guest and the prince of playful positivity Ashwin Chacko.
Yep, that’s the Being Freelance mug at the heart of it all. Does all its own stunts. Like a ceramic Tom Cruise.
Prints by Andi Best
Designer Andi is also a brilliant artist, so I feel bad not showing one of his stunning illustrations (I have one on my bedroom wall!). Promise me you’ll click and check?
But this print feels perfect for your workspace. A cup of tea can help sort many a freelance problem.
Andi was on the BF podcast in 2022.
GRATITUDE PRINT by lo harris
Lo Harris brought so much joy to her episode of the Being Freelance podcast. And now she can bring some of that to your desk space too.
Plenty to choose from. There’s a lot to be grateful for when freelancing so this one print felt particularly apt.
PUT THE KETTLE ON PRINT BY NATALIE CASS
What started as a hobby has turned into a full-on business for Natalie these past few years. Just the way we like it.
She actually has some excellent biscuit prints, but what use is a biscuit if you’ve not put the kettle on first?
Fruit slices by Tom Hovey
Fruit is good for you. Especially when you Vitamin See these on your wall.
Great British Bake Off illustrator Tom Hovey takes a healthier route for his fruity prints. Squeeze one on to your wall. And make room for a listen to his freelance story on the podcast too.
THIS SHIT IS HARD BY REBECCA STRICKSON
I love Rebecca’s designs - quite a few apt ones to choose from.
No one said freelance life was easy. But it sure is colourful.
Tatsuro Kiuchi Print
Japenese artist Tatsuro was an awesome guest on the Being Freelance podcast.
I love his work - I have this one up in my house after years of dreaming of it.
Tearodactyl framed mini print
Sophie Corrigan is a freelance children’s book illustrator.
How can you resist this cute and very factual print.
Get it for yourself as a Jurrasic perk.
FIRST COFFEE OF THE DAY PRINT
OR8DESIGN is Owen Findley, who designs and hand screen prints an incredible style of artwork. I love it.
Much of Owen’s designs take you into the outdoors - do take a look, but how could I not start with this first coffee of the day? A freelance essential.
ProcRastination Station Print by Joanne Higgs
BFF designer and illustrator Joanne Higgs also creates a range of prints.
Glad she got this one off her To Do list.
Put ‘buying it’ on your’s.
Pressure Makes Diamonds Print by Newton Davey
As a freelancer you’ll feel the pressure. And ultimately it’ll make you shine all the brighter.
And chain eat Crunch Creams.
This incredible limited edition, foil laden, screen print is special.
Linocut Teacup Print
Dutch artist Suzanne Kruisdijk has a range of beautiful lino prints, often involving birds and flowers. Just my cup of tea.
And at one of our 2024 Being Freelance Community socials we’re going to be doing a lino print workshop (UK, March) with Ink&Bear, be cool to have you with us, no need to be arty!
WORK HARD & BE NICE TO PEOPLE PRINT
Anthony Burrill’s famous print is such an established part of freelancer walls and advice it should almost be handed out like a certificate when you submit your first tax return.
PEOPLE & CONNECTION
One of the most powerful ways of both growing your freelance business and enjoying being freelance, is MEETING PEOPLE.
A few ideas:
A ticket to ATOMICON (Lots of BFFs are going to this freelance friendly event in ‘24)
Membership to the Being Freelance Community (email me, steve @ beingfreelance.com for details)
Sessions with a coach that suits them/their needs
Coworking membership
Remind them, they’re not alone being freelance
FOOD, KITCHEN & HOME
XMAS BISCUITS
In 2021 Scottish BFF Eilidh kindly sent me a xmas gift of Maclean’s Christmas Pudding biscuits.
Seemingly native to her country, I could not get buy these anywhere.
Until now. I wrote a begging letter to the bakery asking them to sell them online. YOU ARE WELCOME
Adjustable Book Ends
Got books. Want them to look good behind you so you look clever. But then you get more books…
Well that’s okay, because this can expand as your collection does.
Available in a range of colours. Yeah, I can stretch to that.
Email like a boss Mug
Award winning ADHD creator Dani Donovan wants you to up your email game.
Rewriting your messages. Giving you confidence. AND TEA! Winner.
HOUSEPLANT SUBSCRIPTION
Regularly get sent a new house plant for your desk!
Which means less feeling guilty about how you managed to kill the last one.
PLANT NAME BADGES
Speaking of house plants. It can be hard work introducing each one every time you’re on a Zoom call or have people over.
‘Hello my name is…’ networking badge can now be given to Keith the Rubber Plant to wear with pride.
CUSTARD CREAM BISCUIT TIN
The custard cream is a classic. And this tin is… full of them.
That’s an embossed tin too, so the pattern stands out as much as you will for gifting it.
A Bourbon version is also availale.
Reusable Water Bottle
I LOVE my Chilly's bottle. Drinking chilled water all day long is great for your freelance brain & body.
They come in a variety of sizes and looks (I’m talking about the bottles now, not freelance bodies). Plus, there’s an option to add an engraving too, if you buy from the Chilly’s site.
DONUT MUG
There will be lots of times in a freelance year where you just have to let things go.
Don’t let them get to you. Have a cuppa. Have a donut. Move on.
Like whether it’s ‘donut’ or ‘doughnut’. Let it go.
Caramel Wafer Biscuit Tin
A biscuit tin that looks like a giant caramel wafer.
Tuck in.
PERSONALISED BISCUITS
Lots of bakers offering these online these days. Great idea.
One of my favourite gifts my Doing It For The Kids podcast co-host Frankie bought me were freelancer quote biscuits. One said ‘PUT YOUR RATES UP’. Something to chew over.
BISCUIT CushionS
Amazing biscuity cushions from Scotland's finest biscuity creator, Nikki McWilliams. There’s a lovely range to choose from. NICE. Custard Cream. Malted Milk… And of course Tunnocks.
CUSTARD CREAM BLANKET
Yes, Nikki who makes those cushions also serves up Custard Cream blankets. This is also available in pink. Mmmmm.
Ed The Bat Velvet Cushion
Scatterbrain Studios is the work of BFF Julia Broughton (on the podcast in 2020) and it’s been awesome seeing her develop amazing designs for licensing this past year.
Often when she’s on our Being Freelance Community cowork calls, you’ll spot Ed The Bat make an appearance. Bats aren’t just for Halloween, have him hang out at your place all year long.
Bourbon biscuit BROWNIES
If the freelancer in your life loves bourbon biscuits. And they also love brownies. Then guess what?
I reckon they’ll love these.
And you. Just a hunch.
Tea and Biscuits Tray
Brighten up your day with tea and biscuits.
Carla van der Meer designs fun colourful gifts as ‘Poppekins’.
Poppe the kettle on and check out her ideas.
Personalised Photo Desk Calendar
Yes you could take photos from 2023 to brighten up 2024. But you know what else? You could take positive comments clients have given you and put them on here to. Nice daily reminder that you’ve got this.
COFFEE & CHOCOLATE SUBSCRIPTION
Coffee & Kin are are as close to freelancers as I could find - they’re a couple who presumably love coffee & chocolate as much as they do each other.
They also do compostable pods.
CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES
FOLLOW YOUR GUT T-SHIRT
One of the soundest bits of advice you can give a freelancer is ‘trust your gut’.
So trust your gut if you think they’ll like this design from Canadian illustrator Jessie Maisonneuve.
POWERED BY CUSTARD CREAMS T-SHIRT, BY JAUNTY FIG
This is one of many fun, colourful clothing and bags etc, all created by independent designer Lauren, AKA Jaunty Fig.
Here’s to another year of being powered by biscuits. Living the cream.
jammie dodger jumper, by rosie johnson
This awesome jumper from illustrator Rosie Johnson also raises money for a Breast Cancer charity. She has a whole range of cool clothes, take a look.
BEING FREELANCE APPAREL
Forget the House of Gucci.
The Cowork Space of Being Freelance is where it’s at.
BFFs wear their hearts on their sleeves and their logos on their tees, sweat shirts and hoodies.
Teacup Print Cardigan
The 1970s, simpler times when people actually stopped work for a tea break. And they made patterns like this.
Stuff those pockets full of iced gems and away you go.
FREELANCE Coworkers T shirt, by Lyons Creative
In the Being Freelance Community we love our weekly coworking sessions.
But for many the reality of daily freelance work involves finishing a project and high fiving the cat.
Which is why this from BFF graphic designer Angela Lyons is perfect (no, I’m not writing purrrfect).
Do No Harm Take No Shit Cardigan
Ah, it’s wonderful. Knowledgable Knitwear.
Stacey, the designer behind Black&Beech, is creating clothing with a message to get people talking. And has donated thousands of pounds from her products to charity as well.
If you’re looking for feminist pyjamas and scarves, there’s plenty to wrap your head around. Or wrap around your head.
PAY MY INVOICE SWEATSHIRT
Wear it on a client call. Very subtle.
This is actually embroidered, so the message won’t fade.
Which is just as well as you’ll need it regularly in 2024.
WARM STUFF
No freelancer who works from home is going to be sad opening the gift of warmth.
Blankets. Hats. Gloves. Oodies. Hot water bottles. Slippers.
This particular wearable blanket is from Amazon (although if he’s that cold, put some socks on) and Etsy is full of amazing independents making fingerless gloves.
PROCRASTINATOR PIN BADGE
Wear your procrastination as a badge of honour with this brilliant enamel pin.
And choosing which outfit to match it with should kill a bit more time.
SCARED SHITLESS & DOING IT ANYWAY PIN BADGE
There will be plenty of times a freelancer that you’ll be scared shitless. But you’ll do it anyway.
Going to a networking event. Speaking at an event. Being on a podcast. Showing up online. Sending a pitch…
And it has glitter. Don’t mess with glitter.
BISCUIT PIN BADGE - GIFT TIN
Matt Rees is a professional model maker who created ‘Dunked’ - biscuity beauties - as a side business.
Probably so he could legitimately sign off biscuits as a business expense while he was using them for reference. CLEVER.
You can see the care and attention that’s gone into these and this gift tin version is perfect.
COFFEE CAT PATCH
Some people choose a nicotine patch. I’m more addicted to this coffee cat patch.
Army of Cats is the creative studio of Graham Pilling who has a really diverse range of styles - worth purr-using his shop.
PENCIL SOCKS
They’ll look sharp in this brilliant pair of classic HB pencil socks.
A nice stocking filler that becomes a slipper filler on opening.
Panic At the Desk-O T-shirt
London based creator Em, AKA The Artful Possum, has created this perfect embroidered t-shirt for all us solo desk-o fans.
In the Being Freelance Community we have a regular live show called The Freelance Disco - this possum would fit right in, and fit you too.
YOU ARE THE SEA TOPS
Speaking of the Freelance Disco, BFF graphic designer Leyla Alexander was a recent guest DJ for us!
As well as music, Leyla loves surfing and this year launched You Are The Sea. For every t-shirt sold, money goes to Surfers Against Sewage.
A great idea. And a design that serves as a nice reminder to get away from that screen and head out in nature.
NUMBERALS TOTE BY HOPE MENG
Hope Meng’s designs are just as smart and memorable as her episode of the Being Freelance podcast.
Lots to choose from in her shop. But I figured after this long list of gifts, you’re going to need something to put them all in. So this seems totes amazing.
A Note on links
A quick note - a handful of links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, some pennies come in to help keep Being Freelance knee deep in Quality Street. But, just as with all of the other gift ideas, I’ve only picked them because I think they’d be a great fit for a freelancer.